ON RUGBY:This weekend's pivotal round of matches may have a bigger bearing on the overall composition of the Six Nations table than any other, writes GERRY THORNLEY

THUS FAR this has been an interesting if not quite vintage Six Nations. Hereabouts, the manifest signs of a rejuvenation in the Ireland team’s form and confidence, along with the imminent visit of England to Croke Park, has revived interest in the old tournament and heightened the sense of anticipation.

And, in the valleys, the extension of Wales’ winning run in the championship to a record eight games has accentuated the enthusiasm there.

They’re viewing things a little differently in Italy, Scotland, England and France. There are increasing fears among the Italian media and public that the Azzurri have lost their way slightly, while their French counterparts have become concerned that Les Bleus can’t find their way under Marc Lièvremont.

The Scots remain the steadiest ship, while the English feel moderately re-energised, if still far from convinced a brave new dawn awaits under Martin Johnson.

All six results have gone to the bookies’ favourites, and indeed in round one the three favourites even beat the handicap and won more smoothly than anticipated. While the Scots and England pushed France and Wales away from home more than expected, along with Ireland’s win in Rome it still meant there’s scarcely been a hint of a surprise so far.

This weekend is different. As will be reflected in the betting, all three match-ups are tighter to call, and as an entity this weekend’s pivotal round of matches may have a bigger bearing on the overall composition of the table than any other – beginning on Friday when France host Wales, before the Scotland-Italy, Ireland-England double header on Saturday.

Friday night rugby in the Six Nations: is this a brave new era or a sacrilegious slight on the tournament’s rich traditions and history? The latter, for sure, if the actual paying spectators remotely come into the equation – which, of course, they don’t in the minds of the television paymasters or the organisers.

Heaven forbid that Friday night matches are ever foisted on the Croke Park or Lansdowne Road public. But however unfair it might be to ask supporters to abandon work and travel to Dublin from south, west or north amid the delights of the Irish roads on a Friday afternoon, it is as nothing compared to making one’s way from the southern heartbeat of French rugby to Paris – or, come to think of it, from the centre of Paris to Stade Français on a Friday afternoon. By far the biggest blight of the Coupe du Monde was making one way’s back to central Paris from St Denis in the early hours of the morning after a 9pm kick-off.

Lièvremont, to his credit, has mounted a passionate defence of the paying spectator and for Saturday games in the Six Nations, and if he has slightly selfish motives, who could blame him? All told, 19 of his 23-man squad were obliged to play for their clubs over the weekend. Fifteen of them started, including five Toulouse players and Clermont’s Benoit Baby in Sunday’s – repeat, Sunday’s – Championnat de France match of the weekend.

This was moved to Sunday because the bigger, 33,000 capacity of Toulouse FC’s Le Stadium was not available on Saturday, ridiculously leaving Lièvremont five days, and one full session, to be ready for Wales. It would not be far removed from Munster hosting Leinster yesterday.

By contrast, Wales were able to rest their starting XV on duty against England last weekend. France may be playing at home but, entirely of their own clubs’ making, not on a level playing field. This has to hurt Les Bleus, not only on Friday against Wales, but over the course of the championship, and Lionel Beauxis, who was pressed into service on Friday night for Stade Français against Toulon, is now out.

Of course, in many of his selections, Lièvremont doesn’t help his cause: no Jean-Baptiste Elissalde or Pierre Mignoni in his squad to provide a bit of spark or French wit at half-back, no William Servat on the bench, no true lock, a la Pascal Pape or Jerome Thion, in the secondrow, and so on.

Most of all, though, it seemed against Scotland the players either don’t have faith in their own fitness or abilities to play the demanding game Lièvremont wants of them, or they don’t understand it, or both. The pressure is on Lièvremont, but he’s been dealt a lousy hand too.

Ireland, with central contracting, have long since had a better system and arguably improved upon it last weekend when resting their starting XV against France and Italy, but playing all bar Rory Best of the replacements as well as all the other squad members. The net effect was that a host of eager if frustrated squad players were fed back into the provinces and helped inspire wins for Munster and Leinster.

It should be noted, of course, that England did likewise – for the first time and in stark contrast to their visit to Croke Park at the same mid-way juncture two years ago. The only member of their starting team against Wales who did line out was Andy Goode for Brive, for whom he missed five kicks and saw his replacement win the match. Martin Johnson not releasing Toby Flood may be an indication as to his selection at outhalf, which looks like being key and a true signal of intent.

Even so, England may be away from home, but at least they are playing on a level playing field, and this time will be better prepared. But Goode’s enforced activity may be a precursor, given the sudden flight of English players to French clubs run by rich benefactors and with no salary cap.

French rugby will suffer further. Clubs like Toulon and Racing Club, with an increasingly diluted French presence, increasingly offer little or no help to the French team, and it’s striking to note that, for example, there were only two Stade Français players in the French 22 against Scotland.

For the first time in the professional era there’s somebody out there richer than the English clubs. Now RFU delegations have travelled to Westminster and Brussels to see if there is a political will to safeguard domestic rugby.

The biter being bit, from the Southern Hemisphere to the Celtic nations, it’s hard not to laugh at the irony of it all.

gthornley@irishtimes.com